Do you collaborate?

Clients sometimes run out of ideas for new ways to grow their business. ? This past year, I have become very involved with an online collaboration. ? We took time to get to know one another by exchanging services to truly understand how we may help one another.

This morning four of us took the conversation to a new level. ? Now that we are very comfortable with one another and admire the work each does, we decided to collaborate on creating new services and products for the remainder of the large collaborative community to which we belong.

After the process of getting to know one another, the next step in the process was to become very familiar with what our community needs and wants, and the extras which we may provide. ? Knowing your audience and delivering to their interests is key to turning prospects into clients and attracting more sales.

Now we need to consider which of us is to appear at the beginning of the product and the logical order that follows. ? The last person will tie all of the pieces together and conclude with a value driven conclusion for our collective audience(s).

When you are able to work collaboratively with like minded people, you automatically have the ability to attract much larger and a wider variety of audiences contributing to greatly increased revenue. With a good core group in tact, you are seen as leaders in your field and the go-to experts.

This is the beauty of entrepreneurship in that you have far more flexibility to do what pleases you and it’s easier to find what works best. ? The underlying marketing communication message is that you are fearless and able to change with the times.

All of the above serves to put business development on auto pilot and you onto a very Smooth Sale!

Which way do you face when one door closes?

Upon telling a good friend I was almost startled that the moment one door for partnering closed for the time being, another opened immediately after. Tina emailed, “You just need to know which way to face when the next door opens!”

Reflecting upon Tina’s comment, I recognized it was true. So many times people wallow in sorrow that a venue did not work out rather than recognize space was made for the next best idea. Once I changed my mindset to seek the next opportunity, momentum was never again lost. Instead, I am able to keep communication open about new ideas. For example, one time I was approached to give classes on cruise ships with another trainer and we would both purchase staterooms and market to our audiences. But the alliance fell through. This time, I let the disappointment go and focused on developing business in other directions. It turned out to be fortuitous because only a few months later and before the slated cruise date, the economy tumbled. We would have lost a lot of money.

My recent experience centered around my intended venture partner who is currently experiencing much stress in her life. I volunteered it was not the right time for her to take on a new project and she agreed. Within an hour of concluding that conversation, a new partnership that excites me came to light.

The point of this is when disappointment hits, acknowledge it and quickly move on. Be ready for the next opportunity and know when to say “Yes!” This is true whether your are a job seeker, about to interview or accept a job, or an entrepreneur expanding business. Intuitively knowing what’s right for you will place you in a leadership position and you will attract more prospects, clients, and sales.

Whether or not the latest opportunity works out, keep building relationships. You will be headed for a very Smooth Sale!

…When you say nothing at all…

Allison Krauss sings the words above. Her carefully chosen words speak of the “look in your eyes, the smile on your face and touch of your hand…” what she receives from watching facial expressions and body language of her significant other even when he says nothing at all. I find it beautifully sung and the lyrics may be applied to every part of your life including building business and interviewing.

You are your brand. When people meet you and begin to get to know you in succeeding meetings, it is the consistency between your words, actions and deeds that will attract your prospects and clients. Listening intently and smiling at stories of others will do much to further the potential for gaining the sale or job as will credible answers.

When your mindset is focused on paying close attention to others with sincerity, it is equivalent to excellent customer service and will accelerate your business development. This practice makes for a very Smooth Sale!